It’s Academic Equals Track Record in Caesars Trotting Classic at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Anderson, IN -- September 22, 2023 --- On an evening where “The Buckeye,” David Miller felt right at home on Hoosier soil picking up four-victories, It’s Academic delivered in Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino’s signature trotting event, the $210,000 Caesars Trotting Classic. Overcoming post seven and nine other foes, It’s Academic dominated on his way to a track-record equaling performance and became a double millionaire in the process.
Miller wasted no time putting It’s Academic into play as the 4-5 favorite, blitzing to a hot opening quarter on the lead in :26.2. It’s Academic would relinquish the lead up the backstretch as Dexter Dunn gave Pretender his marching orders to the front at the half in :54.2. Dunn kept the pedal down on the far turn to three-quarters in 1:22.2 with It’s Academic in tow with Take All Comers and Tim Tetrick and the top trio began to separate from the remainder of the field.
As the trotters turned for home, Miller tipped It’s Academic off the Dunn helmet and the Ron Burke trainee pounced. Turning in a gutsy :28.0 final-quarter, It’s Academic held off a final surge by Take All Comers up the passing lane to score the victory by two-and-a-half on the line in 1:50.3. Lovedbythemasses and Todd McCarthy rallied late up the rail for third at 44-1. It’s Academic returned $3.80 to his backers at the betting windows.
The victory in the Caesars Trotting Classic was the eighth in 13 seasonal outings for It’s Academic and earned the Ron Burke trainee double-millionaire status. Owned by Brad Grant, the six-year-old son of Uncle Peter-Annapolis has banked $743,951 on the season and now boasts a career bankroll of $2,103,26. The 1:50.3 clocking equaled the all-time trotting track record at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, a mark that was established by Whata Swan in 2022.
“He’s a perfect gentleman on and off the racetrack,” said Miller. “He is just a professional in every sense of the word”.
The mile by It’s Academic is one of three track record breaking or equaling performances on the card, with the other two coming in each division of the Kentuckiana Stallion Management for freshmen fillies. In the $260,000 trot, R Melina outdueled a gritty Ponda Title in the lane to score a 1:53.1 victory with Tim Tetrick in the bike for trainer John Butenschoen.
Blue Pacific delivered a fierce front-stepping victory in 1:50.2 to take down the two-year-old pacing filly mark by two-fifths of a second to give David Miller another stakes score on the evening along with trainer Joe Holloway.
The 15-race Caesars Trotting Classic card saw over $1.7 million pushed the betting windows, a record handle for a card contested at the track that did not feature Breeders Crown races.
Live racing continues on Saturday, September 23 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with a 12-race card set to get underway at 7:00pm. For more information on the 2023 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to visit harrahshoosierpark.com
Gruesome Twosome Extends Win Streak with Madison County Victory
Gruesome Twosome and driver, trainer Daryl Bontrager pushed their win streak to three after capturing the $100,000 Madison County Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 1:54.2. Gruesome Twosome paid $5.60 for the victory.
Topmost and John DeLong finished second while Elhelpski and Peter Wrenn rounded out the trifecta.
The son of You Know You Do—All Set Lets Go has now won five of seven lifetime starts for owners Ira Steinberg and Daryl Bontrager. Gruesome Twosome has now bankrolled $172,125 in lifetime purse earnings.
Southwind Cherry Upsets in The Moni Maker
Southwind Cherry and Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s leading driver Trace Tetrick pulled the 12-1 upset in the $152,000 Moni Maker Stakes. Using a :27.2 closing quarter, Southwind Cherry tracked down the heavily favored Instagram Model and Andrew McCarthy just steps before the wire to get the victory. Heart On Fire and Todd McCarthy finished third.
The daughter of Muscle Hill—Counter Pointe recorded her fifth win of the season and sixth lifetime victory. Owned in partnership by trainer Jeff Cullipher and Pollack Racing LLC, Southwind Cherry has now banked $122, 275 in lifetime purse earnings.
Helpfirstedition Captures Phil Langley Memorial
After three runner-up finishes in sire stakes company, Helpfirstedition was able to get the job done in the $100,000 Phil Langley Memorial in a new lifetime best of 1:51.3. Staging a big rally late in the lane, Helpfirstedition was able to track down the pacesetting Ponda Jet and Kyle Wilfong to get the victory by a head. Ponda Jet finished second while Point of Perfect and Yannick Gingras finished third.
Trained by Melissa Essig, the gelded son of Helpisontheway—She Knows Swagger recorded his sixth win of the season from 16 starts. Unraced as a two-year-old, Helpfirstedition has earned $252,600 in lifetime purse earnings for the partnership of E. Wickey, J.Graber, Running Wild Stables and J. Schmucker.
